Benjamin Backstrom: Drake Student Murdered

Students and family mourn the loss of Drake University student Benjamin Backstrom, who state investigators say was the victim of a homicide. Officials say the 19-year-old was found leaning over the side of a bridge about four miles north of Indianola, Iowa on April 27, 2010. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Credit: Personal Photo

Investigators say they are treating this case as a homicide, but the cause of Benjamin Backstrom's death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Credit: Personal Photo

A grieving cluster of relatives, friends and students gathered for a vigil for the slain Business major on April 28, 2010. "Lord, we pray you are really with Ben's family and friends," said Drake student Beth Ann Deadmond reports the Des Moines Register. "We pray this brings deep healing."

Credit: Personal Photo

Students and family mourn the loss of Drake University student Benjamin Backstrom, who state investigators say was the victim of a homicide. Officials say the 19-year-old was found leaning over the side of a bridge about four miles north of Indianola, Iowa on April 27, 2010. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Credit: Personal Photo

Investigators say they are treating this case as a homicide, but the cause of Benjamin Backstrom's death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Credit: Personal Photo

A grieving cluster of relatives, friends and students gathered for a vigil for the slain Business major on April 28, 2010. "Lord, we pray you are really with Ben's family and friends," said Drake student Beth Ann Deadmond reports the Des Moines Register. "We pray this brings deep healing."

Credit: Personal Photo

Students and family mourn the loss of Drake University student Benjamin Backstrom, who state investigators say was the victim of a homicide. Officials say the 19-year-old was found leaning over the side of a bridge about four miles north of Indianola, Iowa on April 27, 2010. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Credit: Personal Photo

Investigators say they are treating this case as a homicide, but the cause of Benjamin Backstrom's death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Credit: Drake University

A grieving cluster of relatives, friends and students gathered for a vigil for the slain Business major on April 28, 2010. "Lord, we pray you are really with Ben's family and friends," said Drake student Beth Ann Deadmond reports the Des Moines Register. "We pray this brings deep healing."

Credit: Personal Photo

Students and family mourn the loss of Drake University student Benjamin Backstrom, who state investigators say was the victim of a homicide. Officials say the 19-year-old was found leaning over the side of a bridge about four miles north of Indianola, Iowa on April 27, 2010. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Credit: Personal Photo

Investigators say they are treating this case as a homicide, but the cause of Benjamin Backstrom's death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Credit: Personal Photo

A grieving cluster of relatives, friends and students gathered for a vigil for the slain Business major on April 28, 2010. "Lord, we pray you are really with Ben's family and friends," said Drake student Beth Ann Deadmond reports the Des Moines Register. "We pray this brings deep healing."

Credit: Personal Photo

Students and family mourn the loss of Drake University student Benjamin Backstrom, who state investigators say was the victim of a homicide. Officials say the 19-year-old was found leaning over the side of a bridge about four miles north of Indianola, Iowa on April 27, 2010. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Credit: Personal Photo

Investigators say they are treating this case as a homicide, but the cause of Benjamin Backstrom's death will not be determined until an autopsy is performed by the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office.